I haven’t had any cell service to check the weather since Monterey but, at that point, it showed rain for Sunday. Sometimes, forecasts will do a 180 but, this time it was correct. It started raining last night in Kirk Creek, my tent was less than 100 feet from the Pacific. I’ve had some leakage issues in the near past but, last night showed me my tent is on its last legs. Water came in from the 2 corners that my head sits between. A lot of the sealer around the seams is starting to peel off. Underneath my sleeping pad, where all the past holes have been patched up, water somehow snuck in and soaked the underside.
I’m not totally sure what I’ll do yet, the next week is projected to be sunny but, weather can always surprise you. Despite waking up in the rain and thinking for a second I might not ride today, I sucked it up and started pedaling and actually had a groovy day. Not far into the ride I stumbled on the small town of Gorda; one of those towns where the store, the restaurant, the post office, and town hall are all on the same patch of asphalt. But, what a beautiful oasis Gorda is, looking out onto the ocean through a gap in the trees. It’s always a good idea to stop for a cup of coffee to warm up when it’s raining out, always. Inside the restaurant someone has put on some soft jazz, exactly what I would put on on such a gray day.
I sat alone and had a couple cups with a piece of mango raspberry cheesecake; I’ve never heard of such a thing. It was the perfect snack to help me up over the hill that leads you away from Gorda. I’m guessing I cycled uphill for about 5 miles then rode down for about 2, then back up for another couple. The rain and clouds and mist prevented me from seeing out into the open sea but, the elements made for an interesting ride, like thin what curtains were closing behind me, hiding the landscape, simultaneously opening up before me, showing the saturated colors on the hills close by and the muted tones of blue water below. The endless hills seem to be behind me; the road leveled out as I got closer to San Simeon. I passed beaches covered by the massive bodies of Elephant seals.
Some lay sleeping while others wrestled and some even danced face to face in a mating ritual. But I sped on by, cold and wet, thinking about food and the prospect of a warm shower at the campground –no such luck. I haven’t showered in a week but, getting completely soaked today made me feel a little cleaner, I guess. It’s too early to sleep, too early for dinner, too wet outside and here in my tent aint much better. I’m trying to stay on the dry part of my sleeping pad, dampness is all over the walls and I’m surrounded by dripping panniers and a bag full of wet clothes. It’s all part of the fun. What a blessing it is to truly appreciate dry clothes and shelter.
